Realm: Academia - Subrealm: Finally!

After many delays, some unpleasant moments when I remembered which sections I'd neglected to write, and a last-minute revision where I reread some notes that contradicted a paragraph I'd written (plus LOTS of footnote-checking) I finally handed in my first chapter to my committee! W00t! First-Chapter conference: hopefully next week...
(Of course, this means that I'm short on sleep, and Ch. 3 is stalled, while several footnotes in the copy I just handed in still need to be fixed, but hey. Progress.)
I also got roped into taking part in the TA-assignment committee (happily, we didn't REALLY have to screw anyone), and then went to early Modern Colloquium (conveniently, taking place in the same room). I NOW intend to spend tan hour or so slacking, and then be fed free food and a much-needed drink at Grad School First Friday at Five.

Meanwhile, courtesy of a visit Romeo and Jo's right after Thanksgoving, I got a certain "holiday song" stuck in my head. My feelings on the subject?

Silver bells... bloody
Silver bells
It's still November in this city!
Ring-a-ling
Who wrote this thing??
Shoot me, take the pain away!